First formed at the end of 1984 (Anders was 21), they unexpectedly became immensely popular with their standalone disco hit "You're My Heart, You're My Soul", which was then followed by "You Can Win If You Want" and "Cheri, Cheri Lady". They released two albums a year from 1985 to 1987 while also promoting their singles on television all over Europe. After splitting up in 1987, the duo reunited in 1998, at first only testing the waters with new versions of hit singles and again reaching the top of the charts unexpectedly. Bohlen and Anders split again in 2003 due to irreconcilable disagreements (they had never been friends in the first place). Thomas Anders started another solo career immediately, while Bohlen had by now begun devoting most of his time to new talents, especially those he discovered on the German edition of the TV show Pop Idol/American Idol.
Global sales of Modern Talking records were 120 million units, according to BMG in June 2003, and they have become the biggest-selling German music act in history, so far outselling even Frank Farian's projects Boney M and Milli Vanilli, Michael Cretu's Enigma, Sandra, the Scorpions, Snap! and Rammstein.
Modern Talking were successful in Europe, Asia, South America and some African countries. In the United Kingdom they reached the top ten only once with the song "Brother Louie" (in 1986, #4 UK). They did not feel very good about promoting their singles there due to being marketed in England as a gay group like Erasure and Culture Club. Indeed, in the UK "Brother Louie" is regarded by those who remember it as nothing more than a novelty record by a one-hit wonder.
They were almost unknown in North America by mainstream standards, never appearing in the charts there, and due to lack of backing from a record company and lack of time did not go there to promote their music. Composer Dieter Bohlen employed mood-evoking lyrics and intellectually-designed, synthesizer-based music which was out of vogue in the U.S. before Modern Talking even formed.
In 2006 Bohlen included a secret message in his song "Bizarre Bizarre" which was played backwards: "There will never be an end to Modern Talking". However, Bohlen said "he meant to say that the music of Modern Talking will live forever" [4]. Anders has kept the Modern Talking songs in his repertoire and produced songs in a similar vein for his solo records ("Independent Girl"). In 2006 he produced an album of Swing and Jazz versions of popular songs (including Modern Talking's first hit). Bohlen has written two autobiographical books, one of which also detailed Modern Talking's history from his perspective, and sold a million copies in Germany. The sequel was heavily criticised for his unfairness towards the people he worked with. As a result of that, he withdrew from the public for a year until 2006, when he said he regretted putting out the second book. Anders had not been the only one pressing charges against Bohlen and demanding that sections of the book be modified.
Lonely Tears in Chinatown
Modern Talking Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was hot, babe, hot through all the years
Everybody needs someone to hold
Never thought that heaven can be cold
When you call me baby
I'll be there
A penny for your thoughts, oh to care
Are too danger, dangerous
You can have this love for free
Lonely tears in Chinatown
Are too danger, dangerous
If you're ready, go with me
His love is
D-d-d-danger
D-d-d-danger
You can have the best for free
His love is
D-d-d-danger
D-d-d-danger
Come on, take the rest of me
Tonight did what
It means to be so young
When two hearts are beating
Just as one
Our love can go a long, long way
There's nothing left for me to say
Nobody makes me crazy, like you do
Take the starts out of the sky for you
The song "Lonely Tears in Chinatown" by Modern Talking talks about the pain of a broken heart and the longing for a connection with someone. The lyrics describe the feeling of loneliness and the tears that come with it, especially in a big city like Chinatown where there seem to be so many people but none that can console and comfort the brokenhearted. The song also hints at the idea that love can be dangerous, perhaps in the sense that it can lead to heartbreak and tears, but also implies that it is worth it. The chorus sounds like a plea to the object of affection to take a chance on love and not let the fear of being hurt hold them back.
The second verse of the song touches on the idea of youthful love and how it can make one feel like they are invincible. It talks about the feeling of being so in love that nothing else really matters and how that love can carry them through anything. However, the chorus still reminds the listener that love can be dangerous, but adds that the love on offer is of a quality that is worth taking the risk for.
Overall, the song seems to be a melancholic yet hopeful message of love, encouraging the listener to take a chance on love despite its messiness.
Line by Line Meaning
A broken heart, a pillow filled with tears
Feeling heartbroken, crying alone to cope with the pain
It was hot, babe, hot through all the years
The love was passionate and intense, but now it's over
Everybody needs someone to hold
We all need love and support from others
Never thought that heaven can be cold
Love can vanish or turn into something unpleasant unexpectedly
When you call me baby, I'll be there
I'll always be there for you when you need me
A penny for your thoughts, oh to care
I want to know what's on your mind and help you
Lonely tears in Chinatown
Crying alone in a place where I feel lost
Are too danger, dangerous
It's not safe emotionally to keep feeling so sad
You can have this love for free
I'm giving you my love without asking for anything in return
If you're ready, go with me
If you're willing to take a chance on love, come with me
His love is D-d-d-danger
His love could be risky or unpredictable
You can have the best for free
Despite the risks, he's offering the best love he can give
Come on, take the rest of me
Accept me and my love completely
Tonight did what it means to be so young
Being in love can make you feel young and alive
When two hearts are beating just as one
Being in sync with your partner and feeling connected
Our love can go a long, long way
Our love has great potential and can last a lifetime
There's nothing left for me to say
My love for you is so strong, words can't express it
Nobody makes me crazy, like you do
You have a unique ability to affect me and make me feel emotional
Take the stars out of the sky for you
I'd do anything for you, no matter how impossible it seems
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hansa Musik, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DIETER BOHLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edu Tere Barbosa
on Just Like An Angel
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